Xavi Hernandez has been appointed as Ronald Koeman’s successor as head coach of the Netherlands national team, the country’s football association announced on Wednesday. The 46-year-old Barcelona legend, who won the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain, returns to management for the first time since departing the Catalan club in 2024.
The former midfielder has signed a four-year deal with the Dutch federation. His tenure will see him lead the Oranje through both the UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup campaigns. Before his stint at Barcelona, Xavi began his coaching career in Qatar with Al Sadd, where he also concluded his professional playing career.
“As someone who received his training at the Barcelona academy, with strong influences from Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, among others, I feel a special connection to Dutch football,” Xavi said. He added, “You could say that I am a bit of a son of Dutch football.”
Reflecting on his development, Xavi credited his growth to Dutch tactical philosophies. “Other great coaches, especially Louis van Gaal, under whom I made my debut at Barcelona, and Frank Rijkaard, also played an important role in shaping me as a player and coach,” he noted. The appointment marks a significant shift for the national team as they look toward the next major international tournaments.
